Possible Complications

The same complications that may occur when labor begins on its own may also occur during induced delivery. Risks associated with the medications used for labor induction include the following:

Stalled labor—If the medicine does not trigger labor, you may need a
cesarean section
(C-section).

Strong contractions—The medicine that causes contractions could make them too strong. Although rare, this can lead to fetal distress and uterine rupture. In the event that your contractions are too strong, your doctor will lower the dose or stop the medicine.

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

The same instructions used when labor begins on its own also apply to induced labor. But, there are some differences.
Do not eat too much before arriving at the hospital. It is okay to have clear fluids. The medicines can create very strong contractions and could upset your stomach. Contractions slow the digestive process, so your stomach will remain full. This can cause a problem if you need
general anesthesia
.

Description of the Procedure

Cervical Ripening

To deliver your baby vaginally, the cervix will need to “ripen.” This means it needs to soften, thin, and open to prepare for delivery. If your cervix is not doing this already, your doctor may aid this process by giving you medicine. Medicine may be a:

Gel that is applied to the cervix

Suppository put in the vagina

Pill taken by mouth

The cervical ripening process can last up to a few days.

There are also procedures that your doctor may try to aid cervical ripening, such as:

Strip the membranes (separate your cervix from the tissues around the baby’s head)

Expand a small balloon-tipped catheter in the cervix

Place small cylinders that contain a type of sponge-like seaweed into the cervix

If contractions have not started when your cervix is ripe, your doctor will give you a drug that causes contractions. The drug is a man-made version of a hormone called oxytocin. This hormone is produced by your body during active labor. The drug will be adjusted during labor to strengthen or weaken the contractions. After contractions begin, the labor and birth process will be the same as when labor begins on its own.

Anesthesia

The same pain medicines are available for an induced labor as for a spontaneous delivery, including:

Immediately After Procedure

If everything goes well, you will vaginally deliver a healthy baby after the induction.

How Long Will It Take?

It can be hours to several days (very rarely) from the time you are induced until the delivery. If your cervix is not ripe when you are scheduled for the induction, labor and delivery could take 2-3 days. It could take longer for first-time mothers and for pre-term babies.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.